The journey to settle former Kenyan freedom fighters has kicked off after the Dedan Kimathi Foundation paid the first part of Sh31 million to Mathira-Kahonoki-Gitaaraga Land Investment Company who are selling their land situated in Rimuruti, Laikipa County.
The foundation plans to settle 3,455 surviving Mau Mau war veterans where each member will get a three-and-a-half acre piece of land by January 2019 after the foundation settles payment in accordance with the agreement.
According to foundation’s director Evelyne Wanjugu Kimathi, who is the daughter of Mau Mau freedom fighter Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, the land cost Sh2.1 billion and will be paid for in three phases.
Speaking last week when the foundation signed the transaction fee agreement with the officials of the land company, Ms Kimathi described the first transaction as a major stride in honouring the war veterans whom she said were never settled by the government even after fighting for the freedom of the country.
She explained that she came up with the idea of mobilising funds to purchase the land after seeing the predicaments of the former freedom fighters, most of whom had no land of their own.
She said the foundation was formed with the assistance of the surviving Mau Mau war veterans who are the coordinators in the 11 counties where they draw membership with each member contributing Sh5,000 for the share of land.
On his part, Peter Machiri, the honorary secretary of the investments company, said the Sh31 million was the commitment fee for the sale, adding that the foundation will be expected to pay another Sh200 million in 30 days, which is the down payment.
Ms Kimathi said the foundation has been approaching the government to sell them land whose leaseholds have expired for them to settle the veterans.
[Article source: Daily Nation, by Ndung’u Gachane]
